The Kings

Lila's POV

Never before had the palace been so silent.

I was standing at the threshold of the throne-room with my hands clenched in each other, and my heart ached at the beat of it. There were servants on the walls, with bowed heads. Guards stood rigid, alert. Even Darren seemed different, taut, straight-backed, waiting.

They came without warning.

The huge doors were thrown open, and the atmosphere in the room changed instantly.

Two men walked in.

They were the same to a point that there was no confusion as to who they were. Daniel and Marcus Blackmoor. The twin kings.

They had a self-possession, not in haste, not guarded, which said that already this palace was theirs. Both were tall, broad-shouldered, and had dark clothes that identified their rank without any superfluousness. Their eyes went around the room, keen and critical, and came to rest upon Darran.

They both did not look at me initially.

Darren came forward rapidly. "Kings Daniel and Marcus. Welcome."

Daniel halted some few feet short of the throne. His voice was not warm and he spoke calmly. "You took a loan from us."

Marcus went on, with equally flat tones. "You agreed to terms."

Darren nodded. "Yes. I remember them well."

"Repeat them," Daniel said.

The order was silent, yet unconditionally.

Darren hesitated half a second, and said. “The collateral is my sister Lila Ashwood. Until she repays the loan in five years, she will be a breeder. She will give you healthy male pups.”

"And if you fail?" Marcus asked.

"You keep her," Darren replied.

"And the quality?" Daniel pressed.

“She has to give birth to healthy male pups,” Darren said. "Or alpha females."

"And if she fails?" Marcus asked.

Darren swallowed. "She dies. And so do I."

Daniel glanced over Darren and fell on me.

I felt pinned in place.

He had dark eyes, which could not be read. Marcus next looked at me, not any more kindly. I was painfully conscious of my smallness there standing, how lonely.

Daniel nodded once. "Then the deal stands."

Darren turned to me. "Step forward."

My feet felt heavy, but I moved. Each move seemed to be a step into the unknown and something permanent. I stood by Darren, and I could not stop my hands, in spite of my endeavors.

"She is ready," Darren said. "As agreed."

Marcus held out his hand.

Darren put my wrist into it.

That was it.

No farewell. No hesitation. Just a transfer.

Marcus held on tight but not hard. Daniel came nearer, standing on my opposite side.

"Come," Daniel said.

I looked at Darren once more. He didn't meet my eyes.

The kings walked away and I had no choice but to follow.

Their travel to their land was a lengthy and silent one. I sat in a sentry carriage, with soldiers, of whom I knew nothing. No one spoke to me. No one explained anything. I kept on looking out the little window until I could not make out the distance covered.

My joints were stiff and my nerves burnt as we started arriving.

They had a lot of land that was well guarded and intimidating. I was guided in and along a number of corridors, and finally led into a room.

This will be yours, before he left one of the guards said.

The door closed behind him.

I stood there alone.

The room was large but plain. A bed. A table. A washbasin. No chains. No locks that I could see. That somehow made it worse.

Some time afterwards there came a knock.

An older woman entered. She walked with command and her face was grave but not vile.

"I am Mara," she said. "Head breeder."

My stomach dropped.

She examined me thoughtfully, but not with interest, as it were, slowly. "This is not an easy task."

"I know," I said quietly.

“You will be observed,” she continued. "You will be evaluated. The only thing that matters is that your health is only good if you can bear children.”

I nodded, my throat tight.

She sighed. "I've seen many come here. Few leave."

I flinched.

The eyes of Mara softened a little. "All I can offer you is honesty. Do what is asked. Look after yourself when you have the opportunity.

Then she stopped, and said, “I hope you are successful.”

Then she left.

I was sitting on the side of the bed with trembling hands. I stood before the door long after it was closed, and I was thinking. I never imagined what could go wrong in case I do not do it. Or were my body powers to perform what they required.

Time passed slowly.

After some time, another knock sounded.

A young maid stood there. "You've been summoned."

My soul sunk down into my stomach.

She took me up and down the halls, pausing before one of the big doors. She gave one stroke, and stood aside.

"Enter."

I walked in.

The kings stood inside. Daniel near the table. Marcus by the window. Both turned to me and the door was closed behind me.

Daniel spoke first. “You know the reason why you are here.”

"Yes," I said.

Marcus stepped forward. "Then listen carefully."

Daniel went on, “You will make us heirs.”

Marcus replied, “only male pups or alpha female.”

"And if I don't?" I asked quietly.

Daniel didn't hesitate. "You die after the third useless offspring you produce.”

Marcus's voice followed. "And so does your brother."

The phrases sunk deep into my heart.

Daniel looked at me steadily. It is not a second chance.

Marcus nodded once. "Failure is not an option."

I swallowed hard. "I understand."

The look of Daniel fell and then came back to my face.

Marcus was pointing to the middle of the room.

"Strip."

My breath caught.

I stood still and the order sank into my ears and paralyzed me.

This was it.

There was no turning back now.